Girsu
Tello · Telloh · Girsu (Ĝirsu)
Early Dynastic to Ur III (c.3500–2000 BCE; peak Lagash 2500–2144 BCE)·Sumerian Lagash (ÉNSI rulers: Ur-Nanshe, Eannatum, Enmetena, Gudea)·🇮🇶 Dhi Qar, Lagash State, Iraq
About
About Girsu
Girsu (modern Tello/Telloh) is the sacred city of Lagash state — first Sumerian city ever excavated (1877) yielding Gudea diorite statues, Gudea cylinders (world's longest Sumerian text), the Eninnu temple of Ningirsu, and Stele of Vultures fragment. De Sarzec's excavations revealed ÉNSI palace, Bagara shrine and Uruk-period levels. Recent British Museum excavations (2018–) uncovered ÉNSI palace archive and Bronze Age urban water system with canals.
Why it mattersFirst excavated Sumerian city; Gudea art and Eninnu architecture — cornerstone Sumerology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Plan of Eninnu sacred precinct?
- 02Gudea chronology relative to Ur III?
Theories
- 01Lagash theocratic economy (Selz); palace vs temple balance
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3500 BCE
- Period
- Early Dynastic to Ur III (c.3500–2000 BCE; peak Lagash 2500–2144 BCE)
- Culture
- Sumerian Lagash (ÉNSI rulers: Ur-Nanshe, Eannatum, Enmetena, Gudea)
- Builders
- Ur-Nanshe, Eannatum, Gudea
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.2000 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1877 (Ernest de Sarzec)
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2450 BCE
Eannatum, Stele of Vultures — Lagash defeats Umma
c.2144 BCE
Gudea cylinders and 20+ diorite statues
1877
de Sarzec discovers first Sumerian art
2018–
British Museum renewed excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
31.5700° N · 46.1800° E · 12 m · 4 mapped features
ÉNSI Palace of Gudea
palacePalace of Lagash ÉNSI (Gudea), cylinders found
31.5704° N · 46.1802° EEninnu Temple of Ningirsu
templeGreat Eninnu shrine of Ningirsu — baked-brick platform, foundation deposit pegs
31.5697° N · 46.1803° EWater Management Canal
hydraulicSumerian canal and basin system feeding sacred fields
31.5710° N · 46.1794° EBagara of Ningirsu (Southern Shrine)
templeSuburban Bagara temple, votive maceheads
31.5691° N · 46.1796° E